Shon Barnes sworn in as new Deputy Chief in Salisbury

First named as the new Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury in April, Shon Barnes was officially sworn into the office on Monday afternoon by Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander.

Barnes was joined by his wife, Stephanie, and their children Ashlee, 21, Aeiden, 8, and Addison, 6.

“Our goal is to reduce crime and improve citizen satisfaction with police services," Barnes said. "That’s what policing is all about. There’s been a lot of talk recently about community policing, but it implies that the police and the community are somehow separated. We are not separated. We are the same. We are members of the community, and the community should be members of our police force. Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and that’s the only way it works.”

As Salisbury’s deputy police chief, Barnes will direct the department’s community oriented policing initiative and neighborhood problem solving. His first day with the department was Monday, May 15,

Barnes has an varied background in law enforcement, with a career spanning nearly two decades serving the City of Greensboro Police Department.

During his tenure in Greensboro, Barnes held multiple positions such as a juvenile victim’s detective, sergeant of the commercial crimes squad, specialized subject control and arrest techniques instructor, and the commanding officer of three different divisions. He continued on to become a law enforcement analyst for 97.1 WQMG and adjunct faculty for Guilford Technical Community College, Winston Salem State University, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T).

Barnes holds a bachelor’s degree in history and pre-law from Elizabeth City State University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in leadership studies/community and civic engagement program at N.C. A&T.